Microsoft Reveals Windows 8 App Store Pricing Details

By Catherine Cai
published

Microsoft's revealed the pricing model for the Windows 8 app store. Apparently, the company's not a fan of the $.99 model.

Microsoft has revealed the pricing details of app purchases in the Windows Store on the Windows Store for Developers blog. The model's pretty standard with the existing model that Apple's set out in the App Store.

Obviously, apps can be free or paid. Paid apps can be priced in the range of $1.49 up to $999.99, with the company taking a 30 percent cut of each sale, although that percentage will be lowered to 20 percent if the app reaches $25,000 in sales. We're guessing that Microsoft's just not a fan of the $.99 standard that Apple's set.

However, developers won't be restricted to a free or paid plan. Rather, they're free to monetize as they please. A few of the monetization examples that Microsoft gave on its blog included trial periods, in-app purchases, advertising in apps, and billing through developers' own systems.

Developers are free to distribute desktop apps at their discretion, as had been done in the past. The above pricing model only applies to Metro apps, which can only be distributed through the Windows Store.

Windows 8 is slated to release on October 26 later this year.

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38 Comments Comment from the forums
  • SinisterSalad
    I think for the sake of promoting Metro, they should have lowered their cut for launch. It's bad enough many consumers dislike it. It's not going to entice developers to make stuff for it, either.
    Reply
  • Osmin
    It would be wiser to start with 99 cents, like the competition, until you grab a foothold in the market. With the strength of the economy not certain, 99 cents is more palatable to consumers.
    Reply
  • back_by_demand
    A lot of apps are going to be free and there is the issue of the 6 million or so existing bits of software that will run on the x86 version of W8, including all the freeware and shareware
    ...
    As long as these chargeable apps are good quality then the ones worth buying will get bought, and then make more money for the dev as they get more successful, which seems fairer
    Reply
  • Crush3d
    Why not just make the minimum a dollar with 50 cent increments from there.

    Keep it slick and simple. One dollar.
    Reply
  • Camikazi
    Crush3dWhy not just make the minimum a dollar with 50 cent increments from there.Keep it slick and simple. One dollar.Consumers seem to like the number 9, stuff put up for sale for $9.99 seem to sell better then an item for sale for $10. That is why most every price ends in a 9, I have no clue why but it helps things sell.
    Reply
  • DRosencraft
    Clearly a revenue thing for MSFT. If an app maker really needs to pull back some money, they can't offer it for free, and $1.49 is the next lowest option. MSFT then makes $.45 a sale instead of $.30. Don't plan on buying many apps for Win8 anyway, but really don't see this as anything but MSFT wanting more money.
    Reply
  • socalboomer
    Well, the percentage is the same as Apple (30%) - I don't see why they start at $1.49 instead of $.99 . . .
    Reply
  • math1337
    Killing metro even more. How does microsoft think that it can sell it's overpriced RT tablets when consumers know that many paid apps will cost 50% more than their iOS/android counterparts?

    The only "metro" app I use is Desktop.
    Reply
  • sun-devil99
    CamikaziConsumers seem to like the number 9, stuff put up for sale for $9.99 seem to sell better then an item for sale for $10. That is why most every price ends in a 9, I have no clue why but it helps things sell.Seems we are conditioned to think that $9.99 is a MUCH better deal than $10. Aside from that, they can say 'under $10' which also makes you think you are getting a good deal.
    Reply
  • Additional Windows 8 RTM screenshots leak

    http://www.techatron.net/2012/07/additional-windows-8-rtm-screenshots.html
    Reply